Tiny Minority of Extremists Update: why isn’t the vast majority of peaceful, moderate Muslims rising up and demanding the removal of the “uncovered meat” Sheikh?
From the NZPA, with thanks to all who sent this in:
CANBERRA: A meeting of Australia’s imams has given the outspoken spiritual leader of the country’s Muslims an extra three months in his job, angering the government.
A meeting of about 60 imams late decided against sacking the mufti of the nation’s biggest mosque, Sheikh Taj El-Din Hilaly, who was accused of justifying rape last year when he compared immodestly dressed women to uncovered meat.
Imams council spokesman Mohamad Abdalla said the meeting voted to consult the country’s 280,000 Muslims about Hilaly’s future, angering Prime Minister John Howard who said the decision was out of touch with the views of the community.
“They’re exercising their right. But I think they’re doing their community damage,” Howard told Sky television.
“The failure of the community to do something more decisive about this is damaging the image of Islamic Australians as part of our community. I think the impact of this decision will be extremely negative.”